File locked and I can't use select and mask function

[JINX 999]

Having a nightmare - after 2 hours I still can't edit a file!!! I am getting the following message come up :

'Could not apply the Select and Mask workspace because the file is locked, you do not have necessary access permissions, or another program is using the file. Use the ‘Get Info’ command in the Finder to ensure the file is unlocked and you have permission to access the file. If the problem persists, save the document to a different file or duplicate it in the Finder.'

I have looked into other forums and tried to solve the problem as they have advised - i still cant edit the file and no matter how many times and files I have allowed access to 'read and write' for 'everyone' I still can't get a success

please can somebody help

[Sahil.Chawla]

Hi Jinx,

We're sorry to hear about this, as you're getting an error related to permissions, it seems like there is a permissions issue with the location of the file.

Could you please let us know where is that file stored? Could you try copying that file to the desktop and then try opening it in Photoshop and let us know if you're able to edit it?

Also, which version of Photoshop and Operating system are you working on?

Regards,
Sahil

[JINX 999]

Thanks for. your reply. I just copied the file to desktop but got the same message as before:

'Could not apply the Select and Mask workspace because the file is locked, you do not have necessary access permissions, or another program is using the file. Use the ‘Get Info’ command in the Finder to ensure the file is unlocked and you have permission to access the file. If the problem persists, save the document to a different file or duplicate it in the Finder.'

OS is MacOS High Sierra

Photoshop CC 2018

[aussiebaja]

I only tried it to save a cropped image. And I first use "Send to Desktop" but that didn't work so I copied and pasted to the desktop and it worked. My error message was different to yours. I was told to Use Properties in Windows Explorer. I tried that but couldn't follow the instructions.

[Lumigraphics]

Ok, we know you are on a Mac. What version of Photoshop and OS X? Is the file on your internal hard drive, an external drive, network, etc? Have you restarted your computer?

Have you tried Save As to create a new file and then continued editing on that? Can you do other work or is everything failing? And do you have a backup in case that particular file is corrupted?

[aussiebaja]

I had the same problem. Was using Photoshop 7 and Windows 10. I copied the photo to Desktop and edited it and was able to save it. I also found that I could save edits without doing the copy to desktop if I save as "For the Web".

[JINX 999]

File is on the internal hard drive.

I have tried quitting photoshop and restarting after changing the permissions as suggested and that having failed, I then restarted the com and the same error came up as before

I cant understand yet why it is erroring as I have changed all the 'sharing and permissions' to 'read and write'

[JINX 999]

Sorry I forgot to add that so far, every file I have tried is failing.

File path is: Macintosh HD > Users > Tam111 > pictures > ...

I am logged in as another name, not Tam111, but have admin authorisation and I have set all the file 'sharing and permission' for admins to read and write all

[Sahil.Chawla]

Could you try enabling the root user account and see if you're able to edit that file in the root user?

Steps to enable root user: How to enable the root user on your Mac or change your root password - Apple Support

[JINX 999]

tried this but only got to step 6 as per instructions and there was no option to choose as instructed

1. Choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups (or Accounts).
2. Click , then enter an administrator name and password.
3. Click Login Options.
4. Click Join (or Edit).
5. Click Open Directory Utility.
6. Click in the Directory Utility window, then enter an administrator name and password.
7. From the menu bar in Directory Utility, choose Edit > Change Root Password…
8. Enter a root password when prompted.

[JINX 999]

Dear Sahil - I have done as you said and finally managed to follow it. I have enabled the root user and gone out of my present admin account and logged into root user - I could then use the select and mask options on photoshop - thanks so much for that

the only problem now is that all my mail and other info is connected to my present login and when I log out and log into the 'root' account I have created it means I cant open my mail in that so I will have to keep jumping from one account to the other - is there any way I can use just the one account to save time in logging in and out???

[Lumigraphics]

Oh, dear. Where do I start?

First, you'll want to go back and disable the root account. Its fine to use it for testing ONLY but you can run into all sorts of problems doing normal tasks as root. STRONGLY advise you to disable it now.

Second, you can't do what you are trying. Permissions are going to snarl things all up and trying to give Admin permissions won't fix it (as you are finding out.)

Copy the files out of the other user folder, either into your own, into Users/Shared, or to an external hard drive. Work on the files from there.

[JINX 999]

I have done what you said and copied the file to user/shared and the same failure notice comes up

I only have 3 users : Shared, Guest and Tam111

I am loved in in my name and I cant use the function in any of the file paths

I can only access select and mask in root user

Why is it so difficult to use for what should be a simple task?

I don't understand why I cant use

The only option I have at present is to use root user account

[JINX 999]

sorry that was supposed to read 'logged in' not loved in

[cmgap]

If you have Apple Care - this should be a call to support or a genius bar visit - if resetting your password doesn't work.

Also Lumigraphics has presented a few suggestions - have you tried them:

- Copy the files out of the other user folder, either into your own, into Users/Shared, or to an external hard drive.

- Work on the files from there.

[Lumigraphics]

I'm sorry but this isn't making sense. If you are logged in under your name, you have an account.

This is not an Adobe issue, this is a permissions and accounts issue. The computer is not designed to access and work with files from different accounts. You may want to go to an Apple Store if possible and see if they can figure out what is going on.

Using the root account is NOT good practice. Root has access to everything which is why that works.

You could also just reset the password for the Tam111 account and log in to it.

[JINX 999]

Thanks a lot for that. Upon your advice I contacted Apple support and within 10 minutes they have sorted the problem for me. You were correct that it was a problem with permissions and account - all sorted now. Thanks so much for all your help